Former TRACKS student, Anthony Rummery, has won the Endeavour Cheung Kong Scholarship and will spend 5 months in Xi’an, China, to further his studies.

Here is what Anthony had to say:

“I am a 3rd year Bachelor of Arts student. I have majored in both Chinese and Japanese  for the entirety of my degree, with the desire to become a teacher and develop a business around language education and teaching both in ESL (English as a Second Language) and LOTE (Languages Other Than English), with prospects to translate and interpret as the demand is required.
I have wanted to master the language both as for a profession, and as an interest.  I have wanted to study Mandarin Chinese and Japanese since I was 10 years old, about the same time I started studying Martial Art.  From a global perspective, Asian language – especially Chinese – will be a vital aspect to maintaining and strengthening the Australian economy.  There is so much demand for Chinese language learning in Australia.  Similarly, there has always been a massive demand for Chinese students to learn English, however it has only been recently that Chinese people on the mainland have had the potential to access effective English language learning resources.
I will be going to Xi’an, China in August as part of the Endeavour Cheung Kong Scholarship for around 5 months.  In this time, I will be studying at one of the universities, seeing the many historical sites, representing the UNE, the Oorala Centre and all of its’ students, and immersing myself in the people and the culture at the same time.  I can’t wait!
When I return, I intend to follow up my degree with a Graduate Diploma of Education, which will allow me to put all of my language experience into practice in the classroom, to share what I have learned (future Oorala students get first pick, though!), and continue my language studies.  The only advice I could give to future students is that through conscientious and consistent study, immersing and dedicating yourself to everything that you do, you will make your degree worthwhile and come out a success.”

NSW Health are offering cadetships for Aboriginal students studying
full-time in Nursing or Midwifery. The program offers:

• Study allowance of $600 per fortnight during your studies
• Employment for 12 weeks full-time in your local hospital
• Support from a Mentor, Clinical Preceptor and Program Coordinator
• Ongoing employment once you have graduated

Closing date: Friday, 8 May 2009

For further information contact:

Lana Shaw, Project Officer
Nursing and Midwifery Office
NSW Health
Ph: 02 9391 9607 or 1800 330 933
Email: aboriginalnursing@doh.health.nsw.gov.au

Commonwealth Equity Scholarships are NOW OPEN for applications

Applications close on 29 May 2009

Don’t miss out, you may be eligible for more than one of these Equity Scholarships - open to TRACKS students, undergraduate students and students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Education at the University of New England.

If you would like to find out more on how to apply, come along to an Information Session presented by Oorala staff:
WHERE: Oorala Aboriginal Centre (Lecture Theatre), University of New England
DATES: Monday, 4 May 2009 OR Thursday, 7 May 2009
TIME: 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Refreshments will be provided in the Foyer

For more information you can contact:
Oorala Aboriginal Centre
Ph: 02 6773 3034

For advice about these scholarships, contact Phillipa Trelford, Project Officer at Oorala (Ph: 02 6773 3105, email: ptrelfor@une.edu.au);

Or you can find information at UNE Scholarships link:
http://www.une.edu.au/scholarships/undergraduate/commonwealth.php

All applications for the Commonwealth Equity Scholarships have to be submitted online at the UAC website (University Admissions Centre):
http://www.uac.edu.au/equity/

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND OUT ABOUT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER GRADUATES IN TEACHING?
As part of the 2010 Grad Recruitment Program the NSW Department of  Education and Training will be giving an information session for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students seeking opportunities for permanent employment in teaching in NSW public schools

WHERE: Oorala Aboriginal Centre (TRACKS Room)
DATE: Monday, 30 March 2009
TIME: 11:00 am - 12.30 pm
Refreshments will be provided

Information Packages will be provided at the following sessions

From 11:00 am – 12:00 pm the Session will cover information for final year students and graduates on career opportunities, benefits and applying to become a teacher through the Graduate Program

From 12:00 – 12:30 pm students from 1st year onwards can also meet the NSW DET staff and find out about opportunities offered by the Department

If you will be attending please RSVP by Friday, 27 March 2009 to:
Oorala Aboriginal Centre
Ph: 02 6773 3034